Introduction to Scholarship

We are offering 10 full scholarships to students currently enrolled at one of the Universitas 21 member universities. One U21 Full Scholarship covers the tuition fee of one summer programme at the University of Amsterdam in the summer of 2027. Not all University of Amsterdam summer programmes participate in this scholarship opportunity.  

Students must apply by the early deadline to be eligible for the scholarship. The deadline is Sunday 7 February 2027. 

Accommodation 

It is mandatory for students to pay the university housing fee to secure housing in Amsterdam during the summer school. The housing fee is not included in the scholarship. Housing fees are listed on each summer programme’s webpage. We will ask you to pay the housing within 2 weeks of receiving the acceptance letter of the scholarship and programme. If you have arranged alternative accommodation in Amsterdam, we will ask you to send us a proof of transportation ticket within 2 weeks of receiving the acceptance letter. Further details about the housing can be found in the FAQs section on our website.

Eligibility Requirements 

• Be enrolled as a full time student at one of the Universitas 21 partner universities. 
• You have not previously received a U21 Scholarship from the University of Amsterdam. 
• Submit the Scholarship Addendum and Declaration form at the same time as your application to the summer programme (see template and prompt below).  

Terms and Conditions  

The general cancellation policy for the summer school applies. Housing is non-refundable after 1st of May. If you are granted the scholarship, we will ask you to send us an email confirming the acceptance of the U21 Full Scholarship and ask you to pay housing. For the U21 Full Scholarship we have a strict no-cancellation policy. If you are unable to attend the programme after you have confirmed your attendance, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the scholarship to the next student. It is not possible to defer the scholarship to another year. 

Selection Procedure 

All students that meet the entry requirements will be reviewed by the selection committee. Selection is based on the motivation letter and scholarship addendum. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the scholarship available, students will be selected based on a lottery. 

Questions and Contact  

If you have questions about the U21 Full Scholarship, please get in touch with the UvA Summer School via email at summerschool@uva.nl and be sure to include 'U21 Full Scholarship' in the subject line.   

How to apply 

Step 1 - Tick the box when submitting the application 

When completing your summer programme application in the online application portal, make sure to indicate that you are applying for the U21 Full Scholarship 

Step 2 - Apply with your student email 

Please use your home university email in the online application portal. Ensure you will have access to the email during the full duration of the summer school, as we will use it to contact you. 

Step 3 – Write a Scholarship Addendum

In 300 words, set out what you want to learn at this summer school, whether academic, personal or both. Describe your starting point, what you want to develop, and how you intend to reflect on your learning and personal development during the programme. 

Step 4 – Add Declaration Form with Scholarship Addendum to Motivation Letter 

Fill in the declaration form and write your Scholarship Addendum at the end. Combine all scholarship documents with your programme motivation in one PDF. Please see the template provided below. 

Scholarship description

Students from the Unica network, Universitas 21 network, and the LERU network are eligible for a partial scholarship. 

Scholarship amount: €300.

Important information

• There are a limited number of scholarships available, and they are offered on a first-come first-served basis. 
• Not all UvA summer programmes participate in this scholarship opportunity.

• Students studying at Dutch universities on these lists are not eligible for these scholarships. 

How to apply 

• Step 1: Check whether this scholarship is available for the summer course in which you are interested. You can do this by beginning the application for that course. If this scholarship option is listed in the application form, please indicate in the required field that you are applying for it. If it is not a listed option, then this course is not eligible for the scholarship, and you cannot apply for it. 
• Step 2: Check if your home university is part of the networks listed above. If it is, continue to the next step. 
• Step 3: Once you complete steps 1 and 2, finalise and submit your application for the programme and scholarship. 

Scholarship description

• The Amsterdam University Fund (AUF) supports international students by helping to cover a portion of their travel costs to attend a summer course at the University of Amsterdam.
• Scholarship amount for European residents: €200
• Scholarship amount for non-European residents: €400

Important information

• There are a limited number of scholarships available, and they are offered on a first-come first-served basis and are needs-based. 
• Not all UvA summer programmes participate in this scholarship opportunity.
• You need to supply extra documentation for this scholarship (listed below). 
• Once the summer programme is over, you will need to prepare a one-page write up of your time in Amsterdam that will be submitted to the AUF committee. 

How to apply

• Step 1: Check whether this scholarship is available for the summer course in which you are interested. You can do this by beginning the application for that course. If this scholarship option is listed in the application form, please indicate in the required field that you are applying for it. If it is not a listed option, then this course is not eligible for the scholarship, and you cannot apply for it. 
• Step 2: Write a one-page addendum to your motivation letter which states why you need the travel grant in order to participate in the summer programme.
• Step 3: Once you complete steps 1 and 2, finalise and submit your application for the programme and scholarship. 

Scholarship description

• Have you participated in a summer programme at the UvA before? If so, we'd be excited to welcome your application for another of our programmes! The alumni discount is valid for all summer programmes alumni (students and professionals) who would like to continue their education with us in Amsterdam. 
• Scholarship amount: €100

How to apply 

• Step 1: At the top of your motivation letter, please indicate which summer programme you are an alumni of and in what year you attended.
• Step 2: Finalise and submit your application for the programme and scholarship

We recommend that all candidates contact the international office at their home university to see if there are funds available to support their summer abroad.

See some examples below

• Turing Scheme (for students studing in the UK)
• Pupil Mobility through Erasmus + (for students)

Are you an UvA student interested in taking a programme in the summer? Apply to be a Summer Ambassador!

About the Scholarship

Become a University of Amsterdam Summer Ambassador and receive a full tuition scholarship for one of our summer programmes! Get the chance to work closely with the Summer Programmes Office to help with the smooth-running of a programme, while studying something you are passionate about with people from across the world.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be a current student at the University of Amsterdam and meet the admissions requirements of the programme they're applying to. Candidates must be comfortable in and knowledgeable of Amsterdam and be motivated to study the topics covered. Candidates must be available in the month before the start of the programme for approximately 10 hours of preparatory work. Applicants must be available full-time for the entire duration of the programme itself to assist the Summer Programmes Office.

Qualifying Programmes

• Addressing Conflict: Peacebuilding in Theory and Praxis
• Creative Writing: From Inspiration to Craft
• Mindfulness and Compassion-based Interventions
• Placemaking: From Practice to Impact
• The Circular City: Towards a Sustainable Urban Ecosystem
• Space Law: Exploring Legal Frontiers
• Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture and Society
• Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities

• New Media and the Digitalisation of Everyday Life

• Embodiment, Entanglement, Enchantment: Philosophical Insights into Bodymindsoul

• Our Systemic Relation to Nature: Restoring a Balance Lost in History

What is expected of you?

• If selected, your presence will be required for a training day in the spring to get familiar with your tasks and programme. 
• In the month leading up to the programme, work closely with the Summer Programmes Office team to ensure everything is ready to go. 
• Your assistance is essential to help with the Academic Opening and welcoming guest lecturers to the UvA's Roeterseiland Campus.
• Take the lead on course-related excursions, assisting your classmates.
• Be a central point of contact for the students and Summer Programmes Office team for the duration of the course. 

To Apply

• Step 1: Take a look through the participating courses above: visit the how to apply page of the course you're interested in applying for, and prepare all the admissions documents as requested.
• Step 2: Click the "Apply Now" button to access the online application system. If you are unable to do this due to the programme being closed for general admissions, please email summer-info-gsss@uva.nl for the application link.
• Step 3: When applying via the online application system, be sure to state clearly at the beginning of your letter of motivation that you are applying to be a UvA Summer Ambassador.
• Step 4: Expand on the required letter of motivation and include a second section. After you answer the motiovation prompts, please elaborate on the ways in which this programme and ambassadorship would benefit you academically, professionally, and/or personally. Be sure to list any relevant experience in planning (academic) events/programmes, welcoming folks to Amsterdam, or similar ambassadorial roles you've filled in the past. Give us a clear picture of how you will fit in to the programme to which you are applying, and our team.
• Step 5: Once you've reviewed and submitted your application, send an email to summer-info-gsss@uva.nl notifying us of your application to be a UvA Summer Ambassador. Don't forget to include in your email the name of the programme you're applying to.

Due Date and Email

Please apply by the 29th of March 2026. Email summer-info-gsss@uva.nl if you have any questions.

Below you will find links to scholarship databases and other known places to look for funding. There is also information for American and Canadian students who are interested in applying for a loan.

• Adult Education through Erasmus+ (for professionals)
• UvA Scholarships, loans and grants
• Grantfinder
• Scholarship-positions.com
• Fund for Education Abroad
• StudyPortals Scholarships